Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Closing date: 18 Mar 2019
CHILD SAFEGUARDING:
Level 3: The post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.
The role
As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Director of Program Operations shares in the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Country Office. The Director of Program Operations is responsible for the effective delivery of programming in country, the Emergency Preparedness and Response plan the line management of all State and sub offices and of logistics for the Country Office. S/he is responsible for ensuring the Sierra Leone country office achieves the objectives of the Country Strategic Plan 2019 - 2021.
In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
As a member of the Senior Management Team, contribute to:
* Leadership of the Sierra Leone Country Office
* Support the development of an organisational culture that reflects SCI’s approach to programming that requires accountability and high performance of programme and field office managers, encourages a team culture within the matrix management structure that ensures the technical quality of programming, and promotes at all time the Save the Children theory of change.
* Help design and implement a coherent organizational structure that is consistent with agency practices and appropriate to program needs
* Develop with the Programme Development and Quality unit a workable system for ongoing technical support to all sectors implementation teams across all programmes.
* Participate in the development of the country strategy and its implementation, monitoring progress.
* Help establish, maintain, and improve active and regular working relationships with: host government authorities, donors, partner agencies including major institutional donors, and local and international NGOs
* To work closely with managers in the Regional Office and ensure that communications channels between the CO and the regional office are open, efficient and that reporting deadlines are met as required
* Ensure that the required support is provided promptly, at scale and in line with the rules and principles during emergencies, working closely with the Regional Office
Oversight and Management of Program Operations
* Responsible for overall coordination of programme implementation and responsible for field delivery of high quality programming in line with the objectives of the country strategy and in accordance with donor requirements.
* Working with Proramme Development & Quality (PDQ) Director, participate in designing, innovative and high quality programmes to serve difficult to reach children
* In close coordination with the PDQ Director and the Director of Finance, participate in the programme proposal process and ensure that all programmes progress in accordance with grant agreements, are completed within time and on budget (such as conduct grant opening meetings and monthly project review (with Budjet vs Actuals) meeting with Grant Manager)
* Serve as over-all budget holder for most programming: manage and support budget holders for individual projects and grants
* Ensure programmes are implemented in response to the communities, and children in line with Save the Children principles, values and strategic plan and following Save the Children compliance procedures. This includes working with government and national NGO-partners to strengthen national capacity
* Lead on developing annual plans and budgets for the strengthening of the operational platform and that quality programme standards are met.
* Require managers to prepare timely and high quality progress reports, programme reports, and donor reports in a manner to allow review and consolidation efficiently.
* Oversee all field-offices
Supply Chain, Inventory, Procurement, Information Technology and Fleet Management
* Ensure that the Country Office (CO) logistics capacity and systems meet the Essential Standards and are able to satisfy the programming requirements
* Ensure appropriate and adequate emergency logistics procedures are detailed in the CO Emergency Preparedness Plan in order to enable rapid scale up
* Manage the CO Logistics department ensuring that all CO logistics activities (fleet, assets, transport, supply chain, base setup etc) are coordinated
* Manage all vehicles ensuring maintenance and insurance
* Ensure goods and services procured are cost effective and of standard quality
* Ensure procurement processes are effectively implemented
* Work closely with the procurement team in negotiating the best deals with suppliers and ensure all team members are aware of the potential for fraud and of the implications if fraud is discovered.
* Ensure proper record keeping, maintenance and control of inventory
* Ensure proper documentation and recording of fixed assets of the organisation
* Manage the fixed assets
* Supervise function that ensures sophisticated, efficient, cost effective Information Technology Systems are in place which is also in compliance with Essential Standards
* Ensure that sophisticated, efficient, cost effective Information Technology Systems are in place and in compliance with Essential Standards and maintain their efficiency
Emergency Response and Preparedness
* Strengthen the Sierra Leone CO organisational readiness to respond to emergencies in line with global SCI emergency goal and benchmarks
* Ensure that the CO designs, updates and implements a full set of emergency preparedness actions, drawing on member input and resources; ensure that there is an emergency preparedness plan in place and that this is reviewed on a 6 monthly basis; this plan should ensure that the CO is able to assess new and emerging threats to children, issue alerts through the regional support structure as appropriate and respond in an effective manner as resources and capacity allows.
* Oversee the in-country emergency response team, ensuring regular training and support
* Mount appropriate and timely responses at scale to all emergencies consistent with established benchmarks, plans and organizational policies, and in close cooperation with incoming surge teams
* Ensure that all CO staff across departments and sub offices are familiar with, adhere to and implement the procedures and processes detailed in the Rules and Principles for emergency response
* In coordination with Country Director and Director for Program Design and Quality maintain consistent and coherent engagement in key inter-agency emergency preparedness and response coordination mechanisms including the Cluster system
Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development – Program Operations
* Ensure appropriate staffing within Program Operations, including field office staff
* Ensure that all staff understand and are able to perform their role in an emergency
* Manage Program Operations team; define expectations, provide leadership and technical support as needed, and evaluate direct reports regularly
* Ensure the recruitment, training, and promotion of staff as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities for staff
* Incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management Systems into team building process. Establish result based system and follow up
* Manage the performance of all staff in the Program Operations work area through:
* Effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear, measureable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations;
* Coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities;
* Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance;
* Documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvements/ workplans
Representation
* Deputize for the Country Director at external meetings with Government, donors and other stakeholders at all levels in Sierra Leone , at regional level and internationally when required.
* Deputize for the Country Director in his/her absence
* Be pro-active in networking with national and international organizations, service providers to strengthen our operational and resource base
Qualifications and Experience
* Masters degree in development or other social sciences
* Robust experience of NGO program cycle management, and with experience of working within a complex and matrix organisation structure
Essential
* Significant knowledge of international humanitarian systems, institutions and donors, and of procedures, accountability frameworks
* Substantial experience and knowledge of effective financial and budgetary control and securing and managing grants from major institutional donors
* Solid project management skills related to organisational development projects and international, cross-functional teams with a proven history of delivering results
* A very good understanding of at least 2 of the sectoral programs and a working knowledge of the program priorities of the Country Office
* Ability to analyze information, evaluate options and to think and plan strategically
* An in-depth understanding of national and international development issues in particular in relation to children
* Previous experience of managing and developing a team and the ability to lead, motivate and develop others
* Fluency in written and spoken English
* Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles including rights-based approaches
Desireable
* Substantial experience in logistics, including procurement, supply chain, fleet management & inventory, IT and S&S
* Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
* Ability and willingness to change work practices and hours, and work with incoming teams in the event of major emergencies
* Ability to deputise the Country Director as necessary
Contract length: 1 year to be renewed based on funds and need
The Organisation
We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.
We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
* No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
* All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
* Violence against children is no longer tolerated
We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.
Application Information:
Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.
We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
Applicants are advised that Save the Children International does not require any payment or expense during the entire recruitment process. Any request in this direction should be immediately reported as contrary to the values and practices of our organization.
How to apply:
Application Email: Fsy.81633.3830@savethechildrenint.aplitrak.com